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UC3Mx: Ultra-dense networks for 5G and its evolution

Learn about the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G), a revolutionary technology under deployment. What are the main technological innovations and new applications?

6 weeks
4–6 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

There is one session available:

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Starts Apr 19
Ends Jun 30

About this course

Skip About this course

5G, the fifth generation of mobile communications, whose deployment is currently happening throughout the world, is seen as an engine of the economy and is the focus of all actors in telecommunications worldwide. It is a result of the rapid evolution of mobile communications. It will add high reliability and low latency machine-to-machine communications to increased data speeds for broadband communications, for which there are so many active mobile phones today as people on the planet. To do this, 5G incorporates new features in both radio technologies and architecture, which must still continue to evolve in order to provide new applications and services, some of which we have not yet imagined.

One of the keys to this evolution is ultra-dense networks, made up of small cells, known as small cells. With this course we want to present the fundamentals, architecture, key technologies, use cases and evolution of 5G mobile communication systems, with an emphasis on increasing capacity and reducing power that facilitates the deployment of small cells. The course has been prepared by the researchers of the European project TeamUp5G, young and senior researchers working to improve small cells in 5G.

The revolution of mobile technologies starts with 5G. Knowing its possibilities will make you stand out among the rest. Are you ready for the change that 5G will bring? Are you ready to learn about it in this MOOC?

At a glance

  • Institution: UC3Mx
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Advanced
  • Prerequisites:

    Some knowledge of engineering related to mobile communications. It is advisable to understand the basic concepts of radio communications, digital communications and signal processing.

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:5G Technology, Broadband, Low Latency, Machine-To-Machine (M2M), Communications, Mobile Phones, Research, Telecommunications

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • The most important technologies that support 5G mobile communications.
  • The concepts of ultra-dense networks and small cells in the framework of 5G and its evolution.
  • New transmission technologies, and interference management.
  • Techniques for the reduction of energy consumption and spectrum sharing.
  • 5G use cases, including security and privacy, drones, virtual or augmented reality.
  • The use of visible light (LiFi) as a complement to radio.
  • Emerging technologies such as the use of Tera Hertz (THz) frequencies or intelligent reconfigurable surfaces.
  • The evolution towards 6G.

Module 1 - Ultra-dense networks and small cells

Introduction to ultra-dense networks and the role of small cells in the frame of 5G and its evolution. Introduction to the mobile network, new scenarios and applications, system parameters and requirements, as well as enabling technologies.

Module 2 - New transmission technologies

Explanation of the fundamentals of Massive MIMO and beamforming in conventional and millimeter waves, the importance of channel estimation and the role of non-coherent communications. Multi-packet reception in full-duplex communications and Visible light communications are also explained.

Module 3 - Interference management and energy efficiency

The way to organize scheduling and interference management in 5G and visible light communications and the new cell-free paradigm are explained. The new approaches for energy efficiency, sensing and data gathering are introduced.

Module 4 - Spectrum sharing and carrier aggregation

Explanation of the fundamentals of spectrum sharing and carrier aggregation, the use of licensed and unlicensed access and new Licensed Shared Access. Architectures and algorithms for spectrum and carrier aggregation and the coexistence of Small Cells and Low Power Wide Area Networks for supporting the internet of things (IoT) are explained.

Module 5 - Use cases and prototyping

Interesting use cases of 5G are examined, including privacy and security, AR / VR and immersive media rendering, drones as a part of the communication network and visible light communications, with some details about prototyping.

Module 6 - The future ahead

The most interesting emerging technologies towards 6G are explained and examples of how communications are solving the needs of our society are provided.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

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